BETHEL — The Bethel Historical Society mourns the passing of Mary E. Valentine, one of its most tireless research library volunteers. Over a period of many years, Valentine faithfully assisted numerous BHS members and out-of-town visitors with their investigations, most notably in the area of family history research.
One of Valentine’s most important achievements was the collection and presentation of data regarding the early Mormon Church in the Bethel area in the 1830s and 1840s. Her articles were published in the society’s history journal, The Bethel Courier, and are now available online through the society’s website, www.bethelhistorical.org, as part of a series titled “Western Maine Saints.”
At the time of her death, Valentine was working on yet another installment in the series focused on the Smith family of Newry. Since the Bethel Historical Society has become the grateful recipient of her research papers, plans are underway to complete this article for publication.
In an effort to make the Bethel Historical Society’s Facebook site even more interesting, a regular feature called “Lost Bethel” has been introduced. Focusing on buildings, scenic views, organizations and events that no longer exist, this series presents a photo from the society’s collection accompanied by a short description of the subject and the reason it no longer exists. Topics so far have included local schools, river ferries, changes to the Bethel Hill common, L.L. Bean’s childhood home, the old West Bethel Post Office and the big toboggan slide at the Bethel Inn. The Facebook page also carries regular announcements of upcoming programs and exhibits.
The next issue of the society’s history journal has been mailed to members and selected libraries. Featured are two articles focusing on Bethel during the Civil War. Among the photos is a heretofore unpublished image of Major Gideon Alphonso Hastings (1821-1905) of Bethel.
Available for purchase in the society’s Museum Shop and through the website is the society’s recently published book focusing on a Bethel woman’s life before and during the War. “Write Quick: War and a Woman’s Life in Letters, 1836-1867″ is a 572-page book transcribed and edited by Ann Fox Chandonnet and Roberta Gibson Pevear. It is based on Civil War era documents, letters and diaries donated to BHS by Pevear in 2005. Impressively narrated and edited, the book tells the story of one New England family’s daily experiences on the Civil War home front and battlefield, through never-before-published primary source materials. The shop is open Tuesday through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through April.
For more information about the society, call 824-2908 or 800-824-2910 or email info@bethelhistorical.org.
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